Cobalt borate catalyzed decomposition of organic hydroperoxides

Abstract

A method for decomposing organic hydroperoxides to their corresponding alcohols is described. A solution containing the organic hydroperoxides is contacted with cobalt borate or cobalt borate on titanium dioxide catalyst. The hydroperoxide is reduced to at least 0.2 wt. % of the effluent and often less than 0.09 wt. %. Cobalt borate has the added advantage of not leaching cobalt into the effluent unlike known cobalt oxide decomposition catalysts.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method for the decomposition of an organic hydroperoxide which comprises contacting a liquid solution containing an organic hydroperoxide with a cobalt borate insoluble catalyst at a temperature in the range of 50° to 250° C. to give an effluent substantially free of the organic hydroperoxide. 
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1 in which the concentration of organic hydroperoxide in the liquid solution ranges from 0.1 to 10 wt. % and the concentration of organic hydroperoxide in the effluent is equal to or less than 0.2 wt. %. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1 in which the organic hydroperoxide is t-butyl hydroperoxide and t-butyl alcohol is also present in the liquid solution. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 1 in which the decomposition reaction is conducted at a temperature between 80° and 120° C. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 1 in which the catalyst concentration ranges from 0.1 to 10 wt. %. 
     
     
       6. A method for the decomposition of t-butyl hydroperoxide in a solution with t-butyl alcohol which comprises contacting a liquid solution containing t-butyl hydroperoxide and t-butyl alcohol with an insoluble catalyst selected from the group consisting of cobalt borate alone and cobalt borate on a titanium dioxide support, at a temperature in the range of 80° to 120° C. to give an effluent substantially free of t-butyl hydroperoxide. 
     
     
       7. The method of claim 6 in which the concentration of t-butyl hydroperoxide in the liquid solution ranges from 0.1 to 10 wt. % and the concentration of t-butyl hydroperoxide in the effluent is equal to or less than 0.2 wt. %. 
     
     
       8. The method of claim 6 in which the catalyst concentration ranges from 0.1 to 10 wt. %. 
     
     
       9. A method for the decomposition of t-butyl hydroperoxide in a solution with t-butyl alcohol which comprises contacting a liquid solution containing 0.1 to 10 wt. % t-butyl hydroperoxide in t-butyl alcohol with 0.1 to 10 wt. % of an insoluble catalyst selected from the group consisting of cobalt borate alone and cobalt borate on a titanium dioxide support, at a temperature in the range of 80° to 120° C. to give an effluent having a t-butyl hydroperoxide concentration of equal to or less than 0.2 wt. %.